He’s not exactly Irish but we’re claiming this one as a victory for Team Ireland.
Gunnar Nelson got right back in the win column in pretty extraordinary circumstances in Rotterdam on Sunday night.
Six months after being dominated by Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu expert Demian Maia at UFC 194, SBG’s Nelson returned to more familiar victorious ways with an upset victory over knockout specialist Albert Tumenov.
The bout was pegged as a classic striker vs. grappler match-up but Nelson didn’t exactly look outclassed on the feet as his light-footed karate stance provided Tumenov with trouble from the off.
Nelson switched stances at will and punished the Russian welterweight’s lack of head movement with straight punches down the pipe.
‘Gunni’ knew that he could get the bout to the mat with a beautiful takedown in the first and when he repeated the sequence in the second round and passed beautifully to mount, the finish looked on for Iceland’s Nelson.
Tumenov naively gave up his back, Nelson settled for his forearm across his opponent’s jaw and forced the tap at the 3:15 mark of the middle round.
And his teammate was only delighted with the result!
Gunnar The White Ape Nelson!!
That is the result of hard work and complete focus throughout camp.
We are entering a new level. #SBG #Mjolnir— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) May 8, 2016
